Preliminary Correlations for Characterizing the Morphology of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms as Predictor of Rupture

The morphology of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has been recognized as a factor that may predispose their rupture. The time variation of the AAA morphology induces hemodynamic changes in morphological behavior that, in turn, alters the distribution of hemodynamic stress on the arterial wall. This behavior can influence the phenomenon of rupture. In order to evaluate the relationship between the main geometric parameters characterizing the AAA and the hemodynamic stresses, 6 AAA models were reconstructed and characterized. The models were characterized using thirteen geometrical factors based on the lumen center line: eight 1D indices, three 3D indices, and two 0D indices. The temporal and spatial distributions of hemodynamic stresses were computed using computational fluid dynamics. The results showed that the hemodynamic stresses are modified by the time variations of the AAA morphology, and therefore, the hemodynamic stresses, in combination with other parameters, could be a criterion for improved rupture risk prediction. Statistical correlations between hemodynamic stresses and geometric indices have confirmed the influence by the AAA morphometry on the prediction of the rupture risks, although higher reliability of these correlations is required.